WhatsApp has started allowing some users to reserve unique usernames before the feature is released worldwide later in 2026. The update is designed to improve privacy by letting users connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The feature is currently rolling out gradually through the WhatsApp mobile app. Although users can reserve usernames, they cannot yet use them to start conversations. Meta says early reservations will help users secure their preferred names before the wider launch.
The new username system will serve as an optional identity linked to a WhatsApp account. Once the feature becomes fully available, users will be able to share a username instead of their phone number when contacting someone for the first time.
People who already have a user’s phone number through existing contacts or group chats may still be able to see that number. The new system mainly changes how new connections are made.
Meta has confirmed that WhatsApp will not introduce a public username directory. The platform will also avoid suggesting accounts with similar names. Anyone who wants to contact another user must know the exact username.
With more than three billion users worldwide, the company has decided to open reservations early. This gives people more time to claim their preferred usernames before millions of additional users gain access.
At present, username reservations are only available through the mobile version of WhatsApp. The feature has not yet been added to WhatsApp Web or the desktop application. Since the rollout is gradual, many users may not see the option immediately.
On iPhone, users can reserve a username by opening their profile and selecting the Create Username or Reserve Username option. Android users can find the same feature through the Settings menu after opening their profile.
Meta recommends keeping the app updated to receive new features as they become available. Users may also receive an in-app notification once username reservations are enabled for their accounts.
According to the announced guidelines, every username must be unique. It must contain between three and 35 characters. Users can include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. However, usernames cannot be made up only of numbers or contain restricted words.
Some users may also be able to reserve the same username they already use on Facebook or Instagram if it has not been claimed. Meta has reserved certain usernames connected to well-known public figures to reduce the risk of impersonation.
Users will have the option to change or remove their usernames in the future. Once a username is released, it will remain unavailable for 14 days before another person can claim it. This waiting period is intended to reduce abuse and identity theft.
Meta also plans to introduce an optional authorization key. New contacts will need both the correct username and this security code before sending a message. The company says this extra protection will help reduce spam and unwanted messages.
Despite these safeguards, Meta has acknowledged that usernames could also create opportunities for scammers. Users are advised to verify unexpected messages, especially those requesting money, passwords, verification codes, or personal information.
The rollout has also attracted attention from regulators. The Indian government has asked Meta to pause the feature in India until more details about its security measures are provided. Officials have raised concerns about fraud, phishing, and impersonation.
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Meta has responded by saying the feature is still under development and that additional protections will be in place before the full launch. While no exact release date has been announced, the company says the username feature will become fully available worldwide later in 2026.
